Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-10-28
VVHX
Prohibltioni.ts nnd Prohibition Pahcrs
Say More Against the Republican than.
Against the Democratic Pnrty.


We have received letter from n friend
asking Ms to write un editorial on the
above question.
Our first answer is: They DO not al
ways.
Since we received the letter we have
looked through The columns Of the Era Tor
quite dibisnce, and find that as far as the
management OF the paper itseli ia concern
ed, if there has been any difference in its
treatment Of the two parties, 1T has had
more to say 10 the Democrats than TO the
Republicans.
A great many people foft, their judg-
ments according to what they expec
things to be. The Republican pnpers
have 40 long repeated the statement that
the Prohibitionsts never say anything
agHinst the Democratic party, and make
all their uttacis en- tile Republican party
that great many people have simply nc-
cepted ii as fact without even looking 10
see whether 1t were true. This is the case,
we have found, with members Of the Pro-
hibition party rs well AZ with members OF
the other parties, their opinions are con-
tinually influenced by common report.
That some Prolibi:ionsis and som
Prohibition writers do have more TO say
about the Republican than the Democratic
party is undoubtedly true 1t is also prob
ably true that the average Prohibition
paper and writer say more about the Re-
publican than the Democratic party, and
we can give an explanation Of this In few
sentences.
Firat, d. great many Of the workers.
writers and speakers in the Prohibition
party are the oldest members of the party,
who were mainly brohght over from the
Republican party. These brethern cannot
yet entirely get over the effects OF their
early insti uction. They had been brough
up TO suppose that all Democrats were
hopeless sinners, and that there was no u.e
IN looking for men fit TO become Prohibi
tionlsts in the Democratic party, conse-
quently they rarely appealed TO the mem
bera OF the Democratic party. Their
efforts for long time had been in the
direction of drawing sGcl Yot, from the
Republicans ns would compel that party
to adopt Prohibition. Even now, when IL
fuller appreciation OF the purposes of the
Prohibition party has come, it ia difficult for
theee friends TO quite shake off the effect of
early education and habit. Our younger
memberp, who came in during the new
movement started in 'S4 and 'S5, under.
stand this thing differently and are not 80
much inclined to fall into this error.
Second, 1t is the most natural thing ia
the world when man ia surrounded by
opponents in fight for HIM to strike the
hardest blows at the man who IL striking
him the hardest. In the triangular con =
test that has been going on, the Republican
party has aimed its blows chiefly at til
Prohibition party the Democratic party
has fred ils ahots principally 1t, the princi-
pie OF prohibition it is natural, therefore,
that in the relies the return shot should
he directed al the Republican party, while
the return shols at The Democrats should
be at The principle of anti-prohlbition
For the laGt Three years the Republican
party has made its warfare n strictly per
Sonal one upon the ProhibiIionists II has
hing their candidates in efigy il has
mobbed their Speakers; it has boycoiied
their members; il has ransacked the die
Iionaries oil slang IN search of expressions
bitter enough 10 Rurl at the members OF
the party; 1t has conducted campaign of
personal abuse against the leaders of the
party; Its raperI have teemed with false
hoods concerning our candidates, even per-
jury has been resorled 10 in order to attack
the character Of our leaders. Prohibition
human did they not resent such methods
OF attack.
Third, the Prohibition line of attack
against the old pnriiea has necessarily been
two fold; first, to prove that Prohibition IL
right second, to prove that it cannot lie
oblained through either the Democrat or
Republican parties; it dnesn't take very
long to prove that il cannot be Obtained by
Democrat; II" rule, they confess judgment /
nj the outset. A large number OF The Re
pnbicnnS deRy the charge, and while n. =
hitting that Prohibition Is right, claim
that il can be obtained through the Re-
publican patty. The natural consequence Q